Not once.
It’s too soon, Caroline told herself. She had found a man who was honorable and good who wanted to marry her. That should be enough.
But it wasn’t.
She told herself not to be greedy, but no matter how many times she repeated to herself,don’t be greedy, Caroline, don’t be greedy—it did no good.
Caroline wanted Mason’s heart.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. What a complete disaster. Tonight should have been the best night of her entire life. But now . . . now his sister believed her to be a strumpet! Could there be anything more embarrassing thing than being caught in such an act?
Everything was a mess.
She pulled the few dresses she’d brought from the wardrobe and blindly deposited them on the bed. Of course, she did not blame Lonsdale for his reaction. Having your sister walk into your chamber to such a scene would shock any man. Not to mention her. But it did awaken the sliver of doubt Caroline harbored in her heart.
Marry a by-blow?
Damn the baron for his careless words.
That one sentence had given rise to a rotten sense of inadequacy she could not rid herself of. A constant reminder that wherever her place in the world might be it was not beside the viscount.
Her chest tightened.
She wasn’t sure what to do next, but at the very least she needed to get dressed. After that, she’d collect her chaotic emotions and clarify her thoughts. Her gaze fell on the soft moonlight that gathered in a pool of glitter on the bed. She reached out to capture the glow in her palm, wishing she could draw the illumination straight into her heart.
The door opened and softly shut again.
Her breath caught.
“Caroline.”
She retracted her hand.
Soft footsteps padded over and two strong arms encircled her from behind. Caroline clutched the quilt tighter to her chest. His powerful chest pressed tightly against her back. Warm. Secure. Inviting. She shut her eyes, drawing strength from his embrace. Near him, reality always had a way to lose all significance.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed against her ear. “I got distracted at a vital moment. My lack of attention is inexcusable. Please do not take it as a measure of my feelings for you.”
“Your sister . . .”
“She knows as well.” He paused. “You mean everything to me, Caroline. You have every right to box my ears.”
Caroline sighed. “I do not belong in your world, Mason.”
He turned her around to face him, lifting her chin. “We exist in thesameword, Caroline. Youdobelong. You belong with me.”
“I am bound to embarrass you in some way. I’m certainly not qualified to be your—”
He pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her. “Forget about titles. Forget about birth. Between us there is only you and me. Man and woman. You’re already my wife in my heart, Caroline. All that’s left to do is make it official.”
“Mason. . .”
“No, listen Caroline. Before you, my life was a hollow carving of duty and obligation. I did not realize how hollow until you filled every corner of my existence with your laughter, your tolerance, and all your little quirks. I don’t care about convention, society, or other people. I only care about you.”
Moisture gathered in her eyes.
“Can you love me, Caroline? Stay with me forever? Rub my feet when I’m old and gray? Those are the only qualifications you will ever need. Nothing else matters.”
Nothing else matters.
